Wesley Corpus

You remarked, “It will be difficult to persuade any sober person, that there is anything supernatural in these disorders.” (Remarks, p. 69.) The remainder of that paragraph I abridged thus: You attempt to account for those fits, by “obstructions or irregularities of the blood and spirits; hysterical disorders; watchings, fastings, closeness of rooms, great crowds, violent heat;” and lastly by “terrors, perplexities, and doubts, in weak and well-meaning men; which,” you think, “in many of the cases before us, have quite overset their understand ings.” (Remarks, p. 43.) Ianswered, “As to each of the rest, let it goas far as it can go.” (Let it be supposed to have some influence in some cases; per haps fully to account for one in a thousand.) “But I require proof of the last way whereby you would account for these disorders.” Why, “the instances,” you say, “ of religious madness have much increased since you began to disturb the world.” I doubt the fact. You reply, “This no way disproves it.” (Second Letter, p. 137.) Yes, it does, till you produce some proof. For a bare negation is the proper and sufficient answer to a bare affirmation. I add, “If these instances had increased daily, it is easy to account for them another way,” as is done in the First Part of the Farther Appeal, at the one hundred and thirty-first and following pages. You say, “Most have heard of or known several of the Methodists thus driven to distraction.” I answered, “You may have heard of five hun dred. But how many have you known P Be pleased to name eight or ten of them. I cannot find them, no, not one of them to this day, either man, woman, or child.” (Page 411.) You reply, “This” (the naming them) “would be very im proper and unnecessary.” Second Letter, p. 138.) However, Sir, it is extremely necessary that you should name them to me in private. I will then, if required, excuse you to the public; which till then I cannot do. The person I mentioned, whom you threw into much doubt and perplexity, then lived in the parish of St. Ann, West minster. I related the case just as she related it to me. But she is able and ready to answer for herself. 9.